Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1887-05-19
she cut he saw the flash of Ashley

child who had brought the water in
that pretty cottage parlor where she
had seen the beautiful invalid to whom
DR.. Manly took her flowers.
els the Doctor here-Dr. Manly?"
he asked. 81 was told he might be.
Miss Gwendoline is dying, Aunt Jane
says. Oh, miss! if you only can tell
me where to find him He'll save her,
if anyone cam"
The child was crying. Jessie felt
troubled and agitated.
1.-The Doctor must be on his round
of visits" she said. ''Iu send Jack
to look for him.
She called to the lad who helped the
gardener, and babe him 90 with the
little fellow and search for the Doctor.
And then she hastily donned her
riding-habit and rode away toward
the cottage-why, she did not know,
or whether she could do any good;
but her heart babe her 90.
She alighted at the door and entered
in haste. The girl sat in her chair;
the old nurse stood behind her. She
made little sign to Jessie, and the
girl went into the kitchen with her.
'sShe is sinking fast" she said. Il
sent my nephew for the Doctor an
hour ago"
II know" said Jessie; ''that is why
I came"
1.-The boy is searching for him. Say
nothing to brighten her" said the
woman.
Jessie gave her look.
II quite understand" she said.
Then she sat down by Gwendoline's
chair
'You have come, said the girl. 81
am SO glad-so glad. They came this
morning. saw both of them. You
don't know, perhaps. Mother smiled,
father looked stern; but they will for
give me after while. They are hoth
dead. But they came. 7 saw
them"
''In a dreamp" asked Jessie.
NO" said Gwendoline. ''Their
spirits came. Think how strange
that was. You know [ was engaged
to my cousin, Dr.. Manly?"
NO" said Jessie, 81 did not
know"
81 was" said Gwendoline, sbut I
Tilted him. He was not handsome.
He was grave and older than /, and l
liked Ashley-Ashley Honeywell and
one night | ran away. Oh, it was
years ago. [ am five and twenty
now. L was seventeen then. And
my father died of it, and my mother.
Oh, was wicked girl. We went to
Italy. He married me with a ring.
He said it was a true marriage. I
believed it. But one day he told me
it was no marriage at all. He was in
love with an Italian woman, q singer.
[ spoke of it and of myself as a wife,
to whom he should be true Then he
said | was not his wife. He said [
was a fool to believe that ring and
VOW between us two could make me
one-and I ran away.
Il hid on steamer coming to
America. [ was starved and frozen
when they found me. [ had this
cold. They were good to me, and
brought me here. But my parents
were dead, and the only one who
knew me was the man [ had Tilted
my cousin, DR.. Oliver Manly.
''Oh, how strange it was! What a
heart he has! He brought me here to
old Hannah, a servant of ours once.
w nat Is your manner?
Jessie" replied the other girl,
softly.
You don't know Ashley Honey
well?" asked the girl. you do not
know him. He is far away, I sup
pose-far over the sea. You never
knew him?"
Il know him now" said Jessie,
softly.
Eyes, because I have told you,"
said Gwendoline. 81 left him, but I
never forgot him. So beautiful! Such
eyes! All women love himp'
Jessie bent her head upon the pale
hand she held, and tears fell.
Don't cry for me-" said Gwendo-
line. 81 am going very soon to
Heaven-to my mother. [ shall pray
there that some good girl will love
cousin Oliver-some beautiful woman
like yourself.
She ceased speaking, and soft
smile crept over her face.
Mother, " she sighed, mother"
The sound of wheels filled the cot
tage room. The Doctors gig was
coming. He was there.
That evening Jessie stood alone
with Ashley Honeywell, and drew his
engagement ring from her finger and
gave it to him.
''WhyP" he asked.
Il have met Gwendoline, she said.
To-day | saw her die. Do / need say
more, Mr.. Honeywell"
You believe her story?" he asked
Il do, indeed" she answered.
land you intend to look for a man
who shall have no little follies to re-
greet, before you make your choice?"
said he You will search long"
She turned from him with con-
tempt, and he left her.
Down in the garden someone moved
to and fro. 1t was DIR. Manly. He
was gathering white chrysanthemums
the last flowers of the garden.
Jessie went to his side. Without a
word she began to help him. They
were the last flowers he would ever
gather for Gwendoline's sake. They
were strewn in her coffin, and she
slept in their midst, with that soft
smile upon her face; and Jessie
seemed to hear again those words:
II will Dray that some good wO-